Anonymous
02/10/2010 09:42
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
OP, and other PG County resident here. A few points:
1) The "schools are bad" meme is pervasive. Yes, test scores are low here in PG County. We have a much higher percentage of economically disadvataged families than in other jurisdictions. We have fewer active parents and PTAs and that does have an effect. The schools that do manage to get a lot of parents together to work on improving a school are often the magnets, and then the school is percieved as being so great it has a huge waiting list. PPs point that affluent people aren't sending their kids to public school -- I think that was true in the past but with changes made to the school system, has slowly been changing; your perception that people are at leawst willing to give public school a try in elementary school is correct.
2) "great school districts" -- One problem with living in Fairfax or another so-called "great" school district is that it costs so damn much to buy a house there, that if you end up in a bad school or get a crappy teacher -- you just don't have the option of private schools. I have had friends with kids in the toniest part of Montgomery County have HORRIBLE problems with their child's school; and they were just stuck. THey had no option (other than to pick up and move I suppose). They simply couldn't afford to homeschool or to move to a private. So they struggled through but they did not feel that their child was getting the great education they had paid nearly a million for a house for.
1) The "schools are bad" meme is pervasive. Yes, test scores are low here in PG County. We have a much higher percentage of economically disadvataged families than in other jurisdictions. We have fewer active parents and PTAs and that does have an effect. The schools that do manage to get a lot of parents together to work on improving a school are often the magnets, and then the school is percieved as being so great it has a huge waiting list. PPs point that affluent people aren't sending their kids to public school -- I think that was true in the past but with changes made to the school system, has slowly been changing; your perception that people are at leawst willing to give public school a try in elementary school is correct.
2) "great school districts" -- One problem with living in Fairfax or another so-called "great" school district is that it costs so damn much to buy a house there, that if you end up in a bad school or get a crappy teacher -- you just don't have the option of private schools. I have had friends with kids in the toniest part of Montgomery County have HORRIBLE problems with their child's school; and they were just stuck. THey had no option (other than to pick up and move I suppose). They simply couldn't afford to homeschool or to move to a private. So they struggled through but they did not feel that their child was getting the great education they had paid nearly a million for a house for.
Anonymous
02/08/2010 17:00
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
Hi, PG resident here! I think it would be great if you moved to our area. Our school system has it's share of problems, but I think having people of your caliber from Virginia would help enhance the reputation and quality of our PG schools. I imagine you could teach us a thing or two. We would welcome you with open arms!
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am happy to see this thread revived!
We are still conflicted. My DD's situation at school has gone from bad to worse. Although at this point I would trade all of FCPS for a teacher who has an ounce of empathy and compassion.
I have talked to a lot of people at work and many send their kids to PGCPS for elementary, but most switch to private at MS and HS, although I don't know anyone with kids in the PG TAG program. I am thinking this is not a bad compromise for a short commute.
Anonymous
02/08/2010 15:59
Subject: PG County schools? TAG prgram?
You're an idiot, but hey, it's your life...
Anonymous
02/08/2010 12:58
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
OP here. I am happy to see this thread revived!
We are still conflicted. My DD's situation at school has gone from bad to worse. Although at this point I would trade all of FCPS for a teacher who has an ounce of empathy and compassion.
I have talked to a lot of people at work and many send their kids to PGCPS for elementary, but most switch to private at MS and HS, although I don't know anyone with kids in the PG TAG program. I am thinking this is not a bad compromise for a short commute.
We are still conflicted. My DD's situation at school has gone from bad to worse. Although at this point I would trade all of FCPS for a teacher who has an ounce of empathy and compassion.
I have talked to a lot of people at work and many send their kids to PGCPS for elementary, but most switch to private at MS and HS, although I don't know anyone with kids in the PG TAG program. I am thinking this is not a bad compromise for a short commute.
Anonymous
02/08/2010 12:38
Subject: PG County schools? TAG prgram?
I'm a PP and I am not someone "who knew someone"--I am AA and I actually lived in the County for seven years in the Bowie/Mitchellville area (which is supposed to be one of the best for PG). If your story is true and you managed to be successful, good for you! But you would be dishonest to tell people that most people who come out of the PG public schools have had a positive experience.
There's a reason that PG County ranks last when evaluated against other Maryland schools. And there's a reason that PG County has a higher crime rate than everywhere except Baltimore City. Let's be honest, most affluent people in PG are not sending their kids to the public schools--they're going private, because they HAVE to.
There's a reason that PG County ranks last when evaluated against other Maryland schools. And there's a reason that PG County has a higher crime rate than everywhere except Baltimore City. Let's be honest, most affluent people in PG are not sending their kids to the public schools--they're going private, because they HAVE to.
Anonymous
02/08/2010 01:18
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
Despite all the naysayers, I am a product of the Prince George's County public schools (along with Google genius Sergey Brin and a host of successful people). I graduated from college with honors and went on to a prestigious graduate program. Somehow I slogged through in spite of my non FCPS pedigree.
I am hoping to secure a slot at the Goddard french immersion program for my kid. Our local elem has received a Great Schools ranking of 10 -- the highest -- (a neighborhood school, not a magnet) and is second in the state for African-African achievement, putting it on par with schools in much more affluent areas. So they must be doing something right.
http://www.greatschools.org/maryland/bowie/2562-Whitehall-Elementary-School/
I'm proud of this county, of its hard-working, diverse population. Sure, your kid can be just another suburban white kid from the rich towns applying to the same colleges as the other rich white kids or maybe his background and experiences in a place like PG will make him a more interesting, appealing applicant. My friends and I would laugh because we went to private colleges where the only other maryland kids were from potomac and they'd gasp when we'd say we were from PG. My kids are in the minority in their respective schools and you know what? They are thriving and the experiences they are learning are invaluable. I hate to sound so evangelistic, but I really love living here and it bothers to see it torn down by people who know someone who heard someone say something negative about PG.
I am hoping to secure a slot at the Goddard french immersion program for my kid. Our local elem has received a Great Schools ranking of 10 -- the highest -- (a neighborhood school, not a magnet) and is second in the state for African-African achievement, putting it on par with schools in much more affluent areas. So they must be doing something right.
http://www.greatschools.org/maryland/bowie/2562-Whitehall-Elementary-School/
I'm proud of this county, of its hard-working, diverse population. Sure, your kid can be just another suburban white kid from the rich towns applying to the same colleges as the other rich white kids or maybe his background and experiences in a place like PG will make him a more interesting, appealing applicant. My friends and I would laugh because we went to private colleges where the only other maryland kids were from potomac and they'd gasp when we'd say we were from PG. My kids are in the minority in their respective schools and you know what? They are thriving and the experiences they are learning are invaluable. I hate to sound so evangelistic, but I really love living here and it bothers to see it torn down by people who know someone who heard someone say something negative about PG.
Anonymous
02/07/2010 22:30
Subject: PG County schools? TAG prgram?
There are 24 public school systems in Maryland and PG County traditionally ranks 23rd or 24th--usually competing with Baltimore City for last place. Fairfax County, on the other hand, is usually listed as one of the top public school systems in the entire country. Need I say more?
Anonymous
02/07/2010 22:28
Subject: PG County schools? TAG prgram?
There is no way that I would give up FCPS for PG County Public Schools. My family and I used to live in PG and we moved AWAY because the schools were so dreadful. My sister, who teaches at a PG magnet school, even advised us to move. Whatever issues you have in Fairfax County, they will be worse in PG.
Anonymous
02/06/2010 09:58
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
Anonymous wrote:I lived in the Greenbelt area for a few years and had my DD in private school during that time. Each year my husband and I debated sending her to the local elementary school to save on costs. We applied to TAG four times (3 for my daughter, and once for my son) and never made it off the waiting list.Once all three children became school age, the private school costs became ridiculous. We began to consider public schools in Greenbelt and surrounding neighborhoods.
At that point I began reaching out to a few friends who teach in PGPS. They unanimously urged me to keep my kids in private school or move elsewhere with more resources in the public school system. A good friend who is currently an administrator in a PG county elementary school taught 2nd grade at the time I was asking around. She would even recomend transferring or moving to some of the parents of her TAG children. She felt that no matter how hard she tried, she was not giving them the time and attention they deserved (her TAG children were in the same class as all other children). In her words, "If you care about your child, don't send them here." While it's unfortunate that her attitude was rather defeatists, I took head to those words and am very satisfied with my decision. I may have paid a bit less to live in PG county, but the amount is only marginal compared to what I've gotten in return from the schools in MoCo.
As an aside, I would recommend staying in Fairfax Co. I graduated from a FF Co. high school (by FAR not one of the best), was adequately prepared for college, and did pretty well for myself.
NP here - thank you for sharing this. We live in PG and send our kids to privat school. We are constantly debating moving, switching to public, continuing to pay tuition. I won't forget your post. I have a friend who is a principal at a public school (not in PG) and she tells me about the tough issues with her teachers and students when I ask her. People like that are the ones with the best advice. For now, we're going to to continue paying for private school in PG because we are happy with our house and community involvement but for high school we'll probably move to MoCo.
Anonymous
02/05/2010 00:43
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
I lived in the Greenbelt area for a few years and had my DD in private school during that time. Each year my husband and I debated sending her to the local elementary school to save on costs. We applied to TAG four times (3 for my daughter, and once for my son) and never made it off the waiting list.Once all three children became school age, the private school costs became ridiculous. We began to consider public schools in Greenbelt and surrounding neighborhoods.
At that point I began reaching out to a few friends who teach in PGPS. They unanimously urged me to keep my kids in private school or move elsewhere with more resources in the public school system. A good friend who is currently an administrator in a PG county elementary school taught 2nd grade at the time I was asking around. She would even recomend transferring or moving to some of the parents of her TAG children. She felt that no matter how hard she tried, she was not giving them the time and attention they deserved (her TAG children were in the same class as all other children). In her words, "If you care about your child, don't send them here." While it's unfortunate that her attitude was rather defeatists, I took head to those words and am very satisfied with my decision. I may have paid a bit less to live in PG county, but the amount is only marginal compared to what I've gotten in return from the schools in MoCo.
As an aside, I would recommend staying in Fairfax Co. I graduated from a FF Co. high school (by FAR not one of the best), was adequately prepared for college, and did pretty well for myself.
At that point I began reaching out to a few friends who teach in PGPS. They unanimously urged me to keep my kids in private school or move elsewhere with more resources in the public school system. A good friend who is currently an administrator in a PG county elementary school taught 2nd grade at the time I was asking around. She would even recomend transferring or moving to some of the parents of her TAG children. She felt that no matter how hard she tried, she was not giving them the time and attention they deserved (her TAG children were in the same class as all other children). In her words, "If you care about your child, don't send them here." While it's unfortunate that her attitude was rather defeatists, I took head to those words and am very satisfied with my decision. I may have paid a bit less to live in PG county, but the amount is only marginal compared to what I've gotten in return from the schools in MoCo.
As an aside, I would recommend staying in Fairfax Co. I graduated from a FF Co. high school (by FAR not one of the best), was adequately prepared for college, and did pretty well for myself.
Anonymous
10/11/2009 07:35
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
OP -- If you move to PG county, there's a group called PGTAG for parents of TAG students:
http://www.pgtag.org
Also, here's information on the TAG program:
TAG Administrative Procedures document describing the program models is here:
http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/6000/Attachment%202%20to%20A.P.%206142.2.pdf
The procedure and all the attachments can be found here:
http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/6000/Instruction6000.html
(Important: Scroll down to 6142.2.)
http://www.pgtag.org
Also, here's information on the TAG program:
TAG Administrative Procedures document describing the program models is here:
http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/6000/Attachment%202%20to%20A.P.%206142.2.pdf
The procedure and all the attachments can be found here:
http://www.pgcps.org/~procedur/6000/Instruction6000.html
(Important: Scroll down to 6142.2.)
Anonymous
10/09/2009 12:00
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
Curious what the issues are with MS and HS? For those familiar with FCPS, wonder how they compare to Luther Jackson MS and Falls Church HS (which is our pyramid).
Anonymous
10/08/2009 20:21
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
My DC is in private elementary school in PG, but due to finances I dont think it will continue (considering there is DC #2) that will require education. DC will go to Hyattsville elementary so I am VERY curious as to why teachers left so soon after starting? I also appreciate budget cuts, but doesn't general community and parental involvement make a tremendous different in the educational environment? I agree with feedback on middle / high schools and I dont know what we will do, but the elementary school seems to be making strides?.?.
Anonymous
10/08/2009 17:31
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
Hi there.
My child's in Mt. Rainier Elementary school in the TAG program. The TAG program just started this past week, and for kids my son's age, they are in a once-a-week pull out program where they do some pretty interesting stuff. There are TAG magnets, but it's a lottery system. There are certainly things I'm not thrilled about, and middle school and high school are a whole 'nother ballgame, but we're fairly happy with the TAG program, even though it's a bit limited. The TAG teacher is WONDERFUL.
I love our elementary school.
That said, PG is not funded NEARLY as well as FCPS. We just lost three teachers and a secretary (TAG teacher thankfully was spared), and the parent liason program in the district has been gutted.
My child's in Mt. Rainier Elementary school in the TAG program. The TAG program just started this past week, and for kids my son's age, they are in a once-a-week pull out program where they do some pretty interesting stuff. There are TAG magnets, but it's a lottery system. There are certainly things I'm not thrilled about, and middle school and high school are a whole 'nother ballgame, but we're fairly happy with the TAG program, even though it's a bit limited. The TAG teacher is WONDERFUL.
I love our elementary school.
That said, PG is not funded NEARLY as well as FCPS. We just lost three teachers and a secretary (TAG teacher thankfully was spared), and the parent liason program in the district has been gutted.
Anonymous
10/08/2009 16:48
Subject: Re:PG County schools? TAG prgram?
There may be good elementary school programs, but I have not heard a single good thing about PG high schools. I would move before I sent my child to high school in PG.